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STARKVILLE, Miss. » Renardo Sidney’s staying. Elgin Bailey’s going.
That’s the aftermath of a nationally televised brawl between two Mississippi State basketball players in the stands during the Diamond Head Classic on Dec. 23. The fight embarrassed the program and caused both players to be suspended indefinitely.
Both players were reinstated, according to an MSU release yesterday. But while Sidney remains with the program, Bailey has "asked to be released from the team in order to transfer."
Sidney, a 6-foot-10 sophomore, missed more than a year because of NCAA eligibility issues. He has played in only two career games, averaging 15.5 points and 4.5 rebounds.
Bailey, a 6-foot-8 junior and team captain, played in 12 games this season, averaging 5.8 points and 4.3 rebounds.
"Elgin told me of his plans to transfer, and I wish him the best as he moves on," MSU coach Rick Stansbury said in a statement. "He’s worked extremely hard for us during his time here.
"As for this team, it’s time to move on and learn from these mistakes."
This isn’t Sidney’s first brush with discipline with the Bulldogs. Just days before the fight, he was suspended for a game after an "incident" during practice.
St. John’s 61, No. 13 Georgetown 58
Justin Brownlee scored 15 points, including the go-ahead basket with 10 seconds to play, and the host Red Storm won their fifth straight.
St. John’s (10-3, 3-0) is off to its best Big East start since 1999-2000, when it opened 4-0. The Hoyas are 12-3 and 1-2.
No. 10 Kentucky 86, Penn 62
Brandon Knight scored 22 points and the host Wildcats (12-2) hit 12 of their first 13 second-half shots to pull away from the Quakers (5-6), who led by 12 early.
No. 16 Texas A&M 66, Nicholls State 55
David Loubeau scored 18 points to help the host Aggies (13-1) to their 10th straight win with a victory over the Colonels (6-5).
No. 17 Kansas State 96, Savannah State 61
Jacob Pullen scored 24 points in his return from a three-game suspension for receiving impermissible clothing benefits from a local department store, and the host Wildcats (12-3) coasted to a victory over the Tigers (2-15).
No. 18 Michigan State 65, Northwestern 62
Draymond Green scored 15 points, including an offensive rebound basket after a missed free throw with 12 seconds to go, and the visiting Spartans (10-4, 2-0 Big Ten) held off the Wildcats (9-3, 0-2).
WAC
Fresno St. 80, Nevada 74
Tim Steed scored 20 points and the Bulldogs (6-6, 2-0) made seven of eight free throws in the final 2:52 to hold off the Wolf Pack (4-11, 1-1).
